Stolen phone tracked to Redan triggers police pursuit across Ballarat
A 45-year-old fled from police across Ballarat after officers tracked his location via a stolen mobile phone.
A man allegedly stole a phone from a house in Winter Valley by smashing a car window on the night of September 16. Police tracked the stolen phone to Redan the next morning and found him sitting in a vehicle.
When officers asked him to step out, he refused and drove away. The man fled from a second patrol car before the police helicopter spotted him in a Buninyong car park.
The pilot tracked him through Magpie, Sebastopol and Mount Clear while ground crews positioned themselves. Officers deployed stop sticks that shredded his tyres, but he kept driving to Warrenheip, where he abandoned the car and ran.
He was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, theft, dangerous driving while pursued by police, and drug-related offences.
- 45 years old
- Suspect age
- September 16-17
- Burglary date
- Magpie, Sebastopol, Mount Clear
- Suburbs tracked through
- September 18
- Court date
Why it mattersThe chase shows how GPS tracking can help police locate suspects fast, and how a single stolen item can trigger a region-wide pursuit.
AustraliaThe incident highlights police tactics in Ballarat and the everyday risk of car break-ins in regional Victoria.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 6 d ago
